In 2009, Abu Dhabi launched a drive into renewable energy that was trumpeted by the global media as evidence that an old-line petro-state had embraced the global low-carbon agenda. Examined closely, however, the kudos may have been premature, says the author. Abu Dhabi’s expensive renewables venture will neither allow the emirate to forgo construction of conventional generation, nor will it provide more than token reduction in carbon emissions growth. [Note: contains copyrighted material].